Flip grater

Abstract

A food grater includes a handle and one or more pivoting grating surfaces that can be stowed within the handle or pivoted outward for use. The pivoting or otherwise retractable nature of the grating surface allows for more compact storage and also provides a handy cover for the grating surface for enhanced safety during storage or transit

1 . A grater, comprising:
 a handle; and   a first grating surface having a first cutting surface, the first grating surface being attached to the handle for movement between a stowed position in which the handle covers the first cutting surface, and a deployed position in which the first cutting surface is exposed for use in grating a food item.   
     
     
         2 . The grater of  claim 1 , wherein the first grating surface is pivotally attached to the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The grater of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion, the first handle portion and the second handle portion being joined to define an interior space, wherein the first grating surface is received within the interior space in the stowed position. 
     
     
         4 . The grater of  claim 3 , further comprising a second grating surface having a second cutting surface, the second grating surface being attached to the handle for movement between a stowed position in which the handle covers the second cutting surface, and a deployed position in winch the second cutting surface is exposed for use in grating the food item. 
     
     
         5 . The grater of  claim 3 , wherein the handle further comprises a cylindrical sleeve and the first grating surface comprises a cylindrical opening, the sleeve being received within the cylindrical opening to pivotally attach the first grating surface to the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The grater of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical opening further comprises an internal pawl and the cylindrical sleeve comprises a groove, the pawl being received within the groove when the first grating surface is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         7 . The grater of  claim 6 , further comprising a channel formed adjacent the pawl, whereby the pawl is radially movable within the cylindrical opening. 
     
     
         8 . The grater of  claim 3 , wherein the first cutting surface comprises a plurality of teeth extending away from a plane defined by the first grating surface, the plurality of teeth being adjacent a plurality of through-holes formed in the first grating surface, whereby when the food item is grated by the first grating surface portions of the food item pass through the through-holes. 
     
     
         9 . The grater of  claim 3 , wherein the first grating surface comprises a peripheral frame and an interior grating plate supported by the peripheral frame. 
     
     
         10 . The grater of  claim 3 , further comprising a means for locking the first grating surface in the deployed position. 
     
     
         11 . A grater, comprising:
 a handle; and   a first grating body having a first cutting surface, the first grating body being attached to the handle for movement between a stowed position in which the first cutting surface is covered by the handle and a deployed position in which the first cutting surface is exposed and extending away from the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The grater of  claim 11 , wherein the first grating body is pivotally attached to the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The grater of  claim 11 , wherein the handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion, the first handle portion and the second handle portion being joined to define an interior space, wherein the first grating surface is received within the interior space in the stowed position. 
     
     
         14 . The grater of  claim 11 , further comprising a second grating body having a second cutting surface, the second grating body being pivotally attached to the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The grater of  claim 14 , wherein the first cutting surface comprises a first plurality of cutting teeth and adjacent through-holes and the second cutting surface comprises a second plurality of teeth and adjacent through-holes, the first plurality of cutting teeth being larger than the second plurality of teeth. 
     
     
         16 . The grater of  claim 14 , wherein the first cutting surface is planar. 
     
     
         17 . The grater of  claim 11 , wherein the first grating body comprises a peripheral frame and an interior grating plate supported by the peripheral frame. 
     
     
         18 . The grater of  claim 11 , further comprising a means for locking the first grating body in the deployed position.